Page 3 of Sean

“Glad you made it okay,” he said, his gaze steady on her. Steady and reassuring. She took a breath, feeling marginally better. “Ethan told me you’ve been on your own for weeks. You’re not anymore.”

Relief flowed through her. She hadn’t known how much she needed to hear those words.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

TWO

“Let’s get you inside,” he said, walking past her to open the trunk of her car, relieved to have an excuse to divert his gaze. Looking right at her had felt like getting hit by lightning. The petite brunette was one of the most gorgeous women he’d ever seen.

“I can help,” Julia said as he shouldered a plastic tote and two kid-size duffel bags. She reached for the last piece of luggage—a suitcase—then slammed the trunk shut, turning to him to wait for him to lead them inside.

It felt odd to be inviting anyone into his personal space. He’d bought this small house out in the boondocks for a reason. The closest town was twenty miles away, and his road only saw a car or two a day. It was isolated, which he wanted. Having guests was going to be an adjustment.

He should say something to the kids. They shrank against their aunt, looking nervous. “Hey, guys,” he said, his tone a little gruffer than he intended it to be. The boy looked down at his feet, but the girl—Lucy—eyed him as if trying to figure him out. That feeling was mutual. At the same time, he felt bad for them. From what he understood from Ethan, they’d been through a lot.

“Follow me,” Sean said, heading inside. “You two can play here.” He pointed into the living room where the kids scrambled onto his couch, hugging toys to themselves. Since it seemed like they’d be fine for a minute, he walked down the hall with Julia to his bedroom. “The kids can sleep here,” he announced.

“This is your room,” Julia hesitated in the doorway. “We couldn’t.”

“The kids can share my bed, and you’ll be right across the hall in the guest room,” he said. His king-size bed was plenty big for two little tykes.

“They can stay in the guest room with me,” she argued.

“You look like you need a good night’s sleep,” he stated calmly. She opened her mouth as if to argue again…but then shut it, her shoulders sagging.

“I do,” she admitted. “But where will you be?”

“Couch works for me.”

“Okay, just for tonight, though,” she insisted, and he let it go. They’d discuss it again tomorrow, and he’d continue to bunk on the couch.

He was putting the kid duffel bags on his bed when a squeal sounded from his living room. Lucy was standing on his couch with a stuffed horse clutched in her arms as her brother tried to take it from her.

“Kids. Please, don’t.” Julia was right behind him. “We’re guests. Just sit down.”

“He tried to take Brownie from me,” Lucy sobbed.

“Stupid horse.” The boy’s chin was jutted out, but it was quivering as if he was on the verge of tears too. Sean didn’t need crying kids. It was tough enough getting used to having anyone in his house.

“The horse isn’t stupid,” Julia said. She was obviously trying to sound calm, but he could hear the strain in her voice. “Where’s your teddy bear? Maybe you could show him the house.”

“I don’t want to,” Amos said. “Stupid house. I just want to go home to my house.”

“I’m sorry.” Julia turned to Sean. “They aren’t usually like this. They’re just…tired.”

“Got it. You two, sit on the couch,” he directed. The kids went wide-eyed but instantly complied. “It’s snack and movie time.” He reached for his tablet and pulled up a streaming app and went to the kids’ films. He made an executive decision on one that he remembered watching as a kid. He propped the tablet on the coffee table once both kids were seated.

“What kind of snack?” the little boy asked suspiciously.

“Since it’s a special occasion, how about a candy bar?” Behind him, he heard their aunt suck in a breath, but she didn’t object. He took that as permission and went for his candy stash on the top of the refrigerator. He grabbed two at random and knew he’d hit the mark when the kids both smiled at him. “I need to talk to your aunt. Can you be good?” Both kids nodded, their eyes on the screen. He tilted his head, indicating that Julia should follow him into the kitchen. “Have a seat.”

She hesitated, then sat in one of the two chairs at his table.

“Sandwich?” he asked, not waiting for her to answer before pulling turkey, cheese, and lettuce from the refrigerator.

“I…sure. What’s the special occasion?” she asked, and it took him a moment to realize where the question came from.

“You’re my first houseguests. Never had anyone here before.”

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